Which of the following is a central idea of the text? Americans sprayed 80 million pounds of the pesticide DDT in 1959. 4) Evidence suggests that banning DDT allowed insects to thrive and increased the spread of insect -borne diseases. 4) Lyme disease is a common tick-borne disease in North America. 4) Environmental activist Rachel Carson exposed the dangers of DDT.

## Step 1<br />The problem asks us to identify the central idea of the text. The central idea is the main point or the most important concept that the author wants to convey to the readers.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />We need to analyze each option and determine which one best represents the main idea of the text.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />Option 1 talks about the amount of DDT sprayed in 1959. This is a specific detail and not a central idea.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option 2 discusses the consequences of banning DDT, which is a broader concept and could be a central idea.<br /><br />## Step 5<br />Option 3 talks about Lyme disease, which is a specific disease and not a central idea.<br /><br />## Step 6<br />Option 4 talks about Rachel Carson, an environmental activist, and her work. This is a specific detail about a person and not a central idea.<br /><br />## Step 7<br />Based on the analysis, option 2 is the most likely to be the central idea as it discusses a broader concept that could be the main point of the text.